Locking device for traveling-cases, sample-cases, &amp;c.



-SHEET 1.

Patented Apr. 9

` 2 SHEETS W N w J. T. BI'NKLEY.

LOCKING DEVICE EOE TEAVELING GASES, SAMPLE GASES,

APPLICATION FILED DEO. 7, 1911. 1 ,022,817.

LUnIIA PIEANOGIAPH C0. WAsnlNd'roN. n. C.

` J. T. BINKLBY. LOCKING DEVICE FOR TRAVELING GAS-AES, SAMPLE GASES, dro.

' APPLIUATION FILED DEO. 7, 1911. f 1,022,817. Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

-IoIIN T. 1;I1\IKI.EY,'y or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOCKING.` `IJEvIoE non TRAvELING-cAsEs, SAMPLE-CASES, sw.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 9, 1912.

Application filed December 7, 1911. Serial Il'o. 664,414.

The object of the present invention is to provide a more secure locking device for use 1n connection with suit cases, or 1n analogous situations, such device being capable of ready manipulation.

In the embodiment shown, the invention comprises an interiorly mounted, prepara-v` torily set, spring-retracted slide carried by one section of the case and equipped with a series of laterally projecting hook-form catches which, when the slide is in the set 7 position are adapted to spring over and into engagement with the studs or catches which are interiorly carried by the other case-section, the slide being normally heldin the set position by a spring-catch; and a key-controlled plunger or push-button `which extends through the lescutcheonplate and is adapted, when unlocked, to be pushed in to release the last-mentioned catch, thereby permit-ting the slide to be retracted and thus to disengage the hookg form catches from the studs mentioned.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that my invention comprises an automatically engaging locking device which f is adapted to be automatically shifted to the non-locking position when the push-button, after it is unlocked by the key, is pushedV in to disengage the slide-latching catch from the stop with which it is normally in fengagement.

The invention is illustrated in its pre` ferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1. represents a horizontal sectional view of a suit-case equipped with improved locking device, the section being taken as indicated at line l of Fig. 2, so

that the view is toward the inner surface of the top of the case; Fig. 2, a-broken 'vertical section taken as indicated at line 201 Fig. 1, the suit-case being .righted, or upright, in this position.; Fig. 3 an enlarged broken vertical section taken as indicated at lline 3 of Fig. l, this view lillustrating the manner in which the slide-retaining catch engages a stationary catch carried by the lockingfragment of the tumbler which is 'shown inv section in Fig. 6; Fig. 8, a View similar to Fig. 6, but showing a key inserted in the key-controlled plunger; and Fig. 9, a section taken as indicated at line9 Vof Fig. 8,

this view illustrating the mannerl in which A the tumbler is retracted to permit the pushbutton to be rotated through the medium of the key.

In the illustration given,.A, A represent sections of a case, such as a suit-case, sample-case, medicine-case, or the like; B, an interiorly mounted, longitudinally-shiftable slide carried by the top-'flange 1 of the casing-section A; and C, key-controlled mechanism through the medium of which the slide B may be freed from its set position and permitted to move under the force of its spring to the non-locking position.

It is usual to connect the lower flanges or bottom members of the sections of a suitcase of this character by hinges, such asthe hinges 2 vshown in Fig. 4; also, to provide the top-flange l3 of the section A with` a handle 4. At the free edges of the top, end, and bottom flanges of the casing-section A is lprovided the usual reinforcing rim member 5, which may be of metal; and the upper part of the member 5 is equipped with downwardly or inwardly projecting studs, or stationary catches, 6, shown as four in number. n

'The section A which may be termed the lid section of the suit-case, is provided with the usual reinforcing bar 7 vfor the top, bot- .tom and end flanges; and upon the top member of the bar 7 is mounted the freely movable slide B. For this purpose, the top member'of the bar 7 yis equipped with alseries of headed guide-studs or screws 8 which depend from said member and engageslots 9 in the slide B. The studs 8 are equipped with washers or spacing members 10, affording bearings for theupper side of the slide. The edge of the slide B which is toward the plate when the slide is in the set posiclamp 16.

section A is equipped with a series Aof laterally-projecting hook-form catches 11 which are adapted to engage the studs 6. The slide B and the members 11 are of resilient material, and the members 11 incline downwardly somewhat, that is, toward the bottom of the suit-case, so that, assuming the slide B to be in the set position, the inclined upper surends of the studs 6 when the suit-case is closed, and the members 11 willspring into locking engagement with the studs 6, that is, the slots or grooves 12 of the hooks will receive the studs after the members 11 have been sprung laterally in the action of closing the suit-case sections. The slide B is adapted to be retracted from its locking position by a spring 13, shown in the form of a'wire loop or yoke, whose web is pivotally connected at- 14 with one end of the slide and whose arms are secured to the end-flange 15 of the casing-section A, as by means of a The slide is equipped wit-h a downwardly projecting operating lug, or handle, 17 which may be formed integrally with theslide by partially severing a portion of the metal and striking it downwardly,

and the slide is also equipped with an upwardly struck locking tongue, or spring catch, 18 which normally engages a iXedly carried catch 19, assuming the slide B to be in the set position. The slide B is moved to the set position through the medium of the actuating member 17 against the force ot the spring 13, preparatory to closing the suit-case.

The key-controlled mechanism C through the medium of which the slide-holding catch 18 may be depressed to permit the slide B to move automatically to the non-locking position, comprises a barrel 2O in which is mounted a revoluble key-controlled plunger,

or push-button, 21, a tumbler 22 serving as a releasable device for iolding the plunger 21 in .its elevated position and preventing rotation of the plunger, except through the medium of the key. The barrel 20 is fiXedly mounted on a frame 23 which comprises a bottom-plate 24 and a U-shaped plate 25 which is securely mounted thereon. The bottom-plate 24 of the frame 23 carries the stop, or fixed catch-member, 19; and the ends of the plate 24 project beyond the member 25 and are secured, as by screws 26, to the bar 7 of the casing-section A. The push-button 21 has a reduced upper end which projects above the barrel, or cylinder, 20, and in the member 2l is a longitudinal key-receiving slot 27. The barrel 20 eXtends through a perforation .in the member 25, and the plunger 21 has a reduced lower end which eX- tends through a perforation 28 in the plate 24. Thus, the lower end of the plunger is faces oi the members 11 will ride over the,

bler 22 is mounted in the frame 23 on al vertically disposed pivot 31 and has its opposite end provided with a laterally turned short tooth 32 and a similarly turned longer tooth 33, the barrel 2O being cut away, as indicated at 322L and 33a to accommodate said teeth. The tooth 32 is adapted to engage the keygroove 27 of the plunger; and the tooth 33 is adapted to engage the circumferential groove or cut away part 29 of the plunger, so that the tooth 32 will serve to prevent rotation of the plunger, while the tooth 33 will serve to prevent depression of the plunger. When, however, a key, such as the key 34 shown in Fig. 8, is inserted in the slo-t 27, it serves to retract the tumbler by engagement with the int-urned extremity of thetooth 32, so that the plunger can be rotated to throw the slot 27 out ot registration with the tooth 32. In the illustration given, the barrel 20 has its outer end spun inwardly and provided with a'slot 35 to permit insertion of the key and a slot 36 at an angle of 180o thereto to permit withdrawal of the key. The plunger-locking pawl, or tumbler, 22 is equipped with a spring 37, o-ne end of which is connected wit-h the tumbler and the other end of which is connected with a pin 38 with which the trame 23 is fitted, so that the spring will move the tumbler to the locking position when the plunger 21 is elevated and in the proper angular position and the key removed. Any suitable means (not shown) may be employed to prevent the use of any other than the authorized key.

The upper end of the barrel 2O is housed in an escutcheon 39, and the reduced upper end of the plunger 21 projects through a perforation 40 in the escutcheon-plate.

The operation may be described briefly.

Preparatory to Closing the casing sections A, A', the casing-locking member B is shifted t0 the set position shown in Fig. 3, in which position the catch or locking member 18 of the member B engages the stationary catch or shoulder 19 of the plate 24.. hen the casing-sections are swung together with the locking-member B thus set, the stud-engaging members 1l ride over the stud 6 and spring into locking engagement therewith, the resiliency of the members 11 and the member B by .which they are carried, permitting this operation. In this position of t-he parts, the spring-catch 18 maintains the plunger 21 in an elevated position; and when the plunger is turned to the proper angular position the tumbler 22 will drop into locking engagement therewith, the tooth 32 entering a longitudinal groove 27, and thetooth 23 entering the circumferential groove 29 so that the plunger will be locked both against rotation and depression. The unlocking operation is performed by inserting a key, thereby retracting the tumbler from the locking position, and when the key is turned, the tooth 32 Will ride on the smooth surface of the plunger, thereby holding the tumbler retracted. The key can be Withdrawn after a half rotation; and the plunger is t-hereupon free to be depressed to release the spring-catch 18 from engagement With the shoulder 19, whereupon the spring 13 will operate to retract the case-locking member B, withdrawing the hook-form catches 11 from engagement With the studs 6.

It will be noted vthat the construction enables as many locking points to be employed as the length of the case may render desirable; also, that the locking occurs automatically when the case sections are closed; and finally that the only force Which need be eX- erted upon the key 34 is that necessary to retract the tumbler 22 and turn the plunger in its bearing, the case-locking member B being automatically retracted .When the plunger 21 is depressed, thus disengaging the spring-catch 18 from the shoulder 19.

The invention is adapted for use in connection with cases for various purposes,

satchels, etc., and the claims are to be construed accordingly.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no undue limitation should be understood therefrom. What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination With a case having parts adapted to be closed together, of catches Vcarried by one of said parts, and a normally restrained locking-member carried by the other of said parts and equipped With a plurality of catches adapted to automatically engage said first-named catches, potential means for retracting said locking-'member, and means for disengaging said locking-member to premit its retraction.

2. The combination With a. case having parts adapted to be closed together, of a series of catches carried by one of said parts,

yand co-acting mechanism comprising a preparatorily-set, potentially-movable lockingmember equipped With a plurality of catches, and key-controlled means for releasing said locking-member to permit retraction thereof.

3. The combination With a case provided `with parts adapted to close together, of a i series of catches carried by one of said parts,

and co-acting mechanism comprising a preparatorily-set, potentially-movable lockingiiieinber equipped with a series of catches adapted to automatically engage said firstnamed catches, and a key-controlled member adapted tow free said locking-member toppermit retraction thereof.

4. The combination With a case having parts adapted to close together, of a series of catches carriedby one of said parts, and co-acting mechanism carried by the other of Vsaid p-arts, comprising a preparatorilysaid sections, and co-acting mechanism carried by the other of said sections, comprisingv a spring-retracted locking-member equipped with a series of catches adapted to automatically engage said first-named catches, means for latching said locking-member in set position against the force of its retracting spring, and key-controlled means for releasing said locking-member from its latched` condition to permit retraction ofthe locking-member.

6. The combination With the sections of a case, of a series of catches carried by one of said sections, and co-acting mechanism carried by the other ofsaid sections, comprising a preparatorily-set longitudinally-shift- 1 able locking-member provided With a series of resiliently-carried hook-form catches adapted to engage said first-named catches automatically When the case-sections are closed, and means for retracting said locking-member.

7. The combination With the sections of a case, of a series of catches carried by one of said sections, and co-acting mechanism comprising a longitudinally-shiftable lockinginember having one edge equipped With a series of resiliently-carried hook-form catches adapted to engage said first-named catches, a spring adapted to retract said lockingmember, a spring-catch carried by said locking-member and serving to engage a stationary catch when the locking-member is in the set position, a key-controlled revoluble and depressible plunger adapted to dis- 'engage said last-named catch, said plunger having a longitudinal slot and a circumferential recess, and a tumbler having a tooth closed, means for releasably securing said locking-member in the set position, and keycontrolled means for releasing said lockingmember. n

-9. The combination With a pair of casesections having top flanges, of a series of depending studs carried by one of said flanges, and co-acting mechanism carried by the other of said flanges, comprising a springretracted slide equipped with a depending linger-piece and equipped also with catches adapted to engage said first-named catches, releasable means for holding said slide in set position, and key-controlled releasing means.

l0. The combination with case-sections provided With top flanges, of a series of catches carried by one of said flanges, a sliding locking-member supported beneath the other of said flanges and equipped With a series of catches adapted to engage said firstnamed catches, and key-controlled means extending through said last-named flange and adapted to control the movement of said sliding lockingmiember.

1l. In locking means of the character set forth, the combination of a spring-retracted slide equipped With a series of resilientlycarried hook-form catches projecting :from one edge thereof and adapted to spring into automatic engagement with co-acting catches when the sections of the case are closed, a catch adapted to maintain said slide releasably in set position, and a key-controlled device for releasing said last-named catch.

JOHN T. BINKLEY.

In presence of- E. H. GROENEADYKE, C. W'. LEFFINGWELL, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ire cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

